Improvisation instructional?

[HubicRuzz]

Hi All,

I'm actually a drummer. Just wondering if someone can recommend me an instructional dvd or vhs
on belly dance improvisation, especially with an improvised drum solo
or taqsim? And I'm not talking about the rule of 4s for beginners or
dance improvisations to standard, well known classical music pieces.

I'm particular interested in how a drummer can pick up signals to indicate when a dancer wants a rhythm change, then figure out what rhythm she wants by watching her dance. Any other signals and calls would be good as well.

I've just bought Rhythms of Oriental Dance with Nesma and Khamis
Henkish and The Night Club Performance - Bellydancing to Live Arabic Music With Yasmina Ramzy. I'm in the process of getting Hadia's Raks Sharki - Volume 3 Rhythms, the Heart Beat of Oriental Dance.


I also saw on the trailer of Bellyqueen jam that they mention
something about improvisation. Is it any good?

Any recommendations appreciated.

Regards

Ignatius

[Genisis]

I work with a lot of trance dancers so I'm used to reading the subconscious body signals that they give out. I'm less efficient with conscious signals so that's between you and whoever you work with. I have a couple heneral tips for you as well. Hope this helps.

When a dancer needs a change in rhythm she will start to return to the first few moves that she started off the performance with. She will probably make eye contact if you let it go too far.
Dancers will dance closer to you when they want you to do something that you're not doing.
If a dancer changes in elevation to the floor then it's time to drop the tempo down or change the rhythm entirely for some floor work unless the rhythm you're already in is flowing really well.


If you follow a pattern with your tempo changes and improvise by using "intuition" rather than force then a dancer will feel the change coming in the music. Sometimes you don't have the time to let your intuitive side stretch out and so you will have to force the rhythm to change at certain points. To do that practice smooth medley transitions. (Compilations of different rhythm combinations that you like.) You'll be better prepared for soloing if you have a couple of good medley combos that you can pull out when you need something to fall back on.

The easiest way to signal a dancer that you want to change the rhythm is to speed it up to a climax before ending it. You can do the opposite with certain dances, for instance veil work looks good with a slow climax. But no matter how you close it out you should always put some kind of pop on the end to let the dancer and the audience know that part is over. (This only applies to the last part of a compilation medley.)

You have to trust yourself to create entertaining and dance-able pieces of music. If a dancer is playing the zills right on target with what you're doing then you know that you can get away with just about anything because she's already plugged into you. I know you won't be sitting there with a watch but as a general rule... the audience's attention span will last about 3 minutes per rhythm. Keep it interesting!

~*Genisis*~

[HubicRuzz]

That's fantastic information. Might post a similar thread in the student section.